LUDOVIKA UNIVERSITY OF PUBLIC SERVICE

High-ranking Chinese delegation visits NUPS

Chinese partner institutions are key elements of the National University of Public Service’s diverse international relations. In the framework of strengthening Far Eastern relations, a high-ranking delegation from the East China University of Political Science and Law (ECUPL) visited the Ludovika Campus on 6 December.

The delegation was lead by Prof. Min Hui, Vice President of ECUPL. Other members of the delegation were Prof. Zhang Mingjun, Dean of the School of Political Science and Public Administration, Prof. Yi Yidian, Dean of the School of Social Development, Huang Qiaorong, Deputy Director of the Student Affairs Center and Zhu Ruohan, Interational Liasison Officer of the International Exchange Center.

The ECUPL-NUPS relations are considered traditionally good. The President of ECUPL, He Qinhua has already visited Budapest, then earlier this year Prof. Dr. András Patyi, Rector of NUPS visited Shanghai as a guest professor. During his visit, he had meetings with the leaders of ECUPL regarding the future cooperation possibilities between the two universities.  The first contacts between the institutions had been made in 2013 which, one year later, was followed by a partnership agreement and a joint scientific conference. In 2015 after the ERASMUS+ agreement was signed, staff and student mobility has become available between the two universities.

The Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China has ranked the East China University of Political Science and Law as one of the best universities of the country in legal studies. The institution greatly influences Shaghai and the most developed East Chinese region. ECUPL was established in 1952 after the merger of 9 higher education institutions of legal, state and sociological studies. Over the decades, the university has gradually evolved into a multidisciplinary university, where they teach economics, management, finance and foreign languages. The institution has over 21,000 students with approximately 1,400 employees.  It has 18 faculties and provides Bachelor, Master and postgradual degree programs as well.

The Chinese delegation was welcomed by Prof. Dr. András Patyi, Rector of NUPS, Dr. habil. Györgyi Nyikos acting Vice-Rector for International Affairs, Prof. Dr. Norbert Kis, Dean of the Faculty of Science of Public Governance and Administration, Dr. Zsuzsanna Peres, Vice-Dean for Science and International Affairs, Dr. Sándor P. Szabó, Head of the Chinese Public Administration, Economy and Society Research Centre and Erzséber Veres, Head of the International Relations Office.

During the very positive discussion, the parties were satisfied with the existing relationships and agreed to further strengthen it. The Chinese delegation is seriously committed on establishing a separate organizational unit within its own institution to manage inter-institutional relations. At NUPS, this role is carried out by the Chinese Public Administration, Economy and Society Research Centre. Both universities also measure the competitiveness of public administration, thus this may be an area for common assessment. The Good Governance report of NUPS may also show good practices to the Chinese delegation that can make their country's administration more effective. The cooperation may be beneficial for NUPS as well, as it is well-known that China is before Hungary in terms of digitalisation and that digital solutions are used more widely in public administration.

Apart from the scientific collaboration, both universities find it important to further enhance and promote the staff and student mobility. There are already Hungarian students studying at ECUPL, but both institutions aim to inrease the number of students participating in the program. Prof. Dr. András Patyi, Rector of NUPS initiated the organisation of a professional event during the first half of next year where students, scholars and other employees of NUPS can get more details on the mobility program and scholars and researchers can build their professional network. Beside learning about the East China University of Political Science and Law, the participants would also get to know more about Shanghai and the East Chinese region.